Literacy Officer

Are you looking for a new opportunity to directly impact literacy across Nebraska? The Nebraska Department of Education is hiring a Literacy Officer to provide strategic leadership and coordination of the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant and Nebraska Literacy project! This position will ensure that students and adults achieve their full potential through enhanced literacy skills.

The hiring team is looking for candidates with skill in innovative leadership, relationship building, and problem solving. This position is fixed term, with an end date of September 30, 2029.

Currently on a contract? Don’t worry! We’ll wait for the right candidate to be released from their contract.

Office Location & Schedule: This position is assigned to our office located at 84th & O St, Lincoln, NE.

Essential Functions

  • Provides leadership and oversight for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant and the Nebraska Literacy project. Provides outreach and information to promote Nebraska’s literacy initiatives.
  • Collaborates with and advises agency leadership on significant issues, program developments, and operations of Nebraska’s Statewide Literacy Plan. Maintains an understanding of the programs, services, and operational functions and appropriately implements policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  • Establishes and fosters strategic partnerships among Educational Service Units (ESUs), schools, vendors, postsecondary institutions, the U.S. Department of Education, and other partners to facilitate the exchange of information and disseminate resources, publications, and other communications.
  • Provides leadership to district and school administrators, Educational Service Units (ESUs), and other organizations in implementation of educational initiatives.
  • Collaborates to develop and implement a system of regional literacy coaches, including ongoing professional learning within the system.
  • Supports professional development related to the statewide literacy strategy, and assists with development and delivery of training.
  • Works collaboratively to complete annual and biennial budgets, and ensures the budget reflects major projects and initiatives, operational requirements, and changes in state and/or federal regulations.
  • Conducts surveys, gathers results, and compiles information to assist with program evaluation and continuous improvement to increase program sustainability.
  • Provides leadership in the hiring, supervision, and potential discipline of staff.  Conducts performance management activities including establishing annual goals related to the strategic plan, holding check-in meetings to discuss goal progress, and completing performance appraisals.  Facilitates a continuous learning environment by promoting professional development to ensure all employees have the opportunity and skills to be efficient and effective in meeting the goals of the agency.  Delegates work and projects appropriately among staff.
  • Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Working Conditions and Travel:

This position requires approximately 85% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 15% is spent traveling or working in alternative sites such as schools, educational service units, and other service agencies. There is also approximately three days of overnight travel per month.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in education or a related field, current Nebraska teaching or administrative certificate, and eight years of experience related to the essential functions of the position to include leadership and managerial experience. Any equivalent education and/or work experience may be substituted in order to meet the minimum qualifications of the position.

Note: A Nebraska Teaching or Administrative Certificate per 92 NAC 21 must be possessed by the time the candidate begins employment at the Nebraska Department of Education and an active certificate maintained while in the position.

Preferred Qualifications: Doctoral degree in Educational Administration & Supervision or related fields, and at least ten years of successful preK-12 leadership experience. Endorsements in reading, elementary education, or English 5-12.

This position is federally funded and may be governed by the Federal Hatch Act. Click here to review the Act.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub – Internal Apply app from your home landing page.

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Additional Information

Pay Rate:

$122,036.41/year

This rate is based on available budget funds; the offer will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s skills, abilities, education, and experience.

Teammates Enjoy

In addition to being part of meaningful work and making a difference through public service, our Total Compensation package includes an approximate $39,800 in additional Benefits value! See full benefits information at https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

  • Competitive benefits, paid time off, and retirement
    • 79% employer-paid health insurance, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts, employee discount program, and more!
    • Generous vacation and sick leave earnings each year (starting at 12 days each!), plus a variety of other leave types
    • 156% state-matched retirement for state plans, or 101% state-matched retirement for school plans
  • Thirteen paid holidays per year

Contact Information

Nebraska Department of Education
500 S 84th St
Lincoln, Nebraska 68510
https://www.education.ne.gov/

Jasmine Gruhn
(p) (402) 440-3705

How to Apply

All applications must be received through the governmentjobs site in order to be considered: http://bit.ly/jobs-nde

You can view benefit information and all other Nebraska state jobs at https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/